DAP: Umno courted PAS because they lost power
SEREMBAN: Umno and PAS would not have established a political partnership if the former had not lost power in the first place, Negeri Sembilan DAP chairman Anthony Loke said yesterday.
He said that when Umno was in power, PAS was constantly lamented that they were being sidelined by the then Umno-led ruling government, but now they seemed to have found themselves in a ‘marriage’.
“The cooperation between Umno dan PAS is definitely a political one, we know this and have expected that they will collaborate as this is the only way to remain relevant and strengthen their political base to challenge Pakatan Harapan (PH).
“When I was in Terengganu and Kelantan to deliver talks, PAS leaders were always lamenting that Kelantan and Terengganu were being neglected by Umno.
“So, this is a survival strategy for Umno and PAS as the former have now lost power. If they had not, they would not have even think of cooperating with PAS,” he said after attending a Tanglung Festival event in Sungai Ujung Walk.
Loke was commenting on Umno and PAS’ signing of a political cooperation charter called the National Consensus Charter in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Elaborating further, Loke, who is also Transport Minister, said PAS supporters must come to a realisation as to why Umno was willing to work with them now.
He added that what is important now was for PH to focus on its aspirations to unite and empower the people.
“We know about their slander about how PH purportedly sidelined the struggles and agendas of the Malays and how DAP is allegedly behind this, but the truth remains that the country’s top leadership comprise of Malays, the institutions are led by Malays, the Malay agenda remains as it is. It is just that we want to ensure the rights of all races are protected,” he said.
He stressed that the goals and aims of PH’s struggles were to ensure all Malaysians prosper together.
“Yesterday, we had a special Cabinet meeting to discuss a prosperity concept that is visionary, that strives for shared prosperity and not just fighting for any one race.
“The vision is for every Malaysian to benefit, to prosper and move forward together as a nation,” he said.
On related matter, PH youth chief Syed Saadiq Syed Abdul Rahman said that the unity pact between Umno and PAS will not change the government’s direction and struggle.
He said that as a political coalition, the main duty of PH was to find the best way to serve the people.
“Just ignore the opposition and focus on our performance. Don’t waste our time and energy discussing other parties’ issues.
“It is time for us to see the bigger picture, a mature politic and problem-solving service to further develop a multiracial New Malaysia,” he said in a statement jointly issued with Amanah Youth chief Mohd Sany Hamzan and DAPSY chief Howard Lee Chuan How.
Syed Saddiq said issues relating to job opportunities, quality of life for the B40 group, youth empowerment, and people’s solidarity were among the focus of PH.
Bernama
